The Cool Crest miniature golf course is located at Fredericksburg Road and Louise. The facility may re-open before the summer.

The Cool Crest miniature golf course is located at Fredericksburg Road and Louise. The facility may re-open before the summer.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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Randal Martin of Frontier Surveying Company prepares to lake laser readings at Cool Crest miniature golf course on Fredericksburg Road on Tuesday, March 26, 2013. The facility may open before the summer.

Randal Martin of Frontier Surveying Company prepares to lake laser readings at Cool Crest miniature golf course on Fredericksburg Road on Tuesday, March 26, 2013. The facility may open before the summer.

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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Of course Cool Crest has also been a longtime hub for family entertainment as well, as seen in this 1965 photo.

Of course Cool Crest has also been a longtime hub for family entertainment as well, as seen in this 1965 photo.

Photo: Courtesy Cool Crest Miniature Golf

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The iconic Cool Crest sign, as seen on Fredericksburg Road in 1974. More than 40 years later, the sign remains a Cool Crest fixture to this day.

The iconic Cool Crest sign, as seen on Fredericksburg Road in 1974. More than 40 years later, the sign remains a Cool Crest fixture to this day.

Photo: Courtesy Cool Crest Miniature Golf

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Cool Crest Miniature Golf originally started with just one 18-hole course, as seen in this 1947 photo. Owners Harold and Maria "Ria" Metzger would add a second 18-hole course circa 1960.

Cool Crest Miniature Golf originally started with just one 18-hole course, as seen in this 1947 photo. Owners Harold and Maria "Ria" Metzger would add a second 18-hole course circa 1960.

Photo: Courtesy Cool Crest Miniature Golf

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An unidentified couple at Cool Crest in 1965. The miniature golf site has been a San Antonio go-to for first dates for generations.

An unidentified couple at Cool Crest in 1965. The miniature golf site has been a San Antonio go-to for first dates for generations.

Photo: Courtesy Cool Crest Miniature Golf

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Cool Crest Miniature Golf likely dates back to 1929, though little is known about the San Antonio landmark prior to Harold Metzger first leasing it in 1937. These Cool Crest ads from 1931, however, do highlight quite the activity at the site, including free open air moonlight dancing, a giveaway of a television set and a candy case break-in. less

Cool Crest Miniature Golf likely dates back to 1929, though little is known about the San Antonio landmark prior to Harold Metzger first leasing it in 1937. These Cool Crest ads from 1931, however, do highlight ... more

Photo: Courtesy Cool Crest Miniature Golf

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Most Cool Crest patrons know the site for its giant putting-green sign. Here's a 1947 photo of Cool Crest owner Harold Metzger (right) standing before a more modest marquee.

Most Cool Crest patrons know the site for its giant putting-green sign. Here's a 1947 photo of Cool Crest owner Harold Metzger (right) standing before a more modest marquee.

Photo: Courtesy Cool Crest Miniature Golf

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Maria "Ria" Metzger and Harold Metzger owned and operated Cool Crest Miniature Golf in San Antonio for decades, starting with Harold Metzger leasing the original site in 1937. Harold Metzger died in 1998, and Maria Metzger continued to run Cool Crest until around 2007. She died in 2010. less

Maria "Ria" Metzger and Harold Metzger owned and operated Cool Crest Miniature Golf in San Antonio for decades, starting with Harold Metzger leasing the original site in 1937. Harold Metzger died in 1998, and ... more

Photo: Courtesy Cool Crest Miniature Golf

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Cool Crest owner Harold Metzger seen at the miniature golf site in a photo from the 1970s. Metzger designed both 18-hole courses at Cool Crest with a focus on natural slopes and design, not windmill obstacles or other mini-golf gimmicks. less

Cool Crest owner Harold Metzger seen at the miniature golf site in a photo from the 1970s. Metzger designed both 18-hole courses at Cool Crest with a focus on natural slopes and design, not windmill obstacles ... more

Photo: Courtesy Cool Crest Miniature Golf

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Maria "Ria" Metzger at Cool Crest in the 1970s. The Frankfurt, Germany native married Cool Crest owner Harold Metzger and brought her green thumb to the site with all sorts of lush plants, most notably banana trees, which are still a signature Cool Crest feature. less

Maria "Ria" Metzger at Cool Crest in the 1970s. The Frankfurt, Germany native married Cool Crest owner Harold Metzger and brought her green thumb to the site with all sorts of lush plants, most notably banana ... more

Photo: Courtesy Cool Crest Miniature Golf

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(Left to right) Maria "Ria" Metzger, Erasmo Ordonez and Harold Metzger at Cool Crest Miniature Golf in 1982. Ordonez worked as the groundskeeper for the Metzgers for more than 30 years, wrapping the site's signature banana trees in newspaper for the winter. less

(Left to right) Maria "Ria" Metzger, Erasmo Ordonez and Harold Metzger at Cool Crest Miniature Golf in 1982. Ordonez worked as the groundskeeper for the Metzgers for more than 30 years, wrapping the site's ... more

Dr. James Andry, seen at Cool Crest on Aug. 25, 2012, has restored the miniature golf course, which has been closed for several years, to its former glory. The City Council recently approved the “closure, vacation and abandonment” of a 12-foot-wide right of way that had been impeding the sale of the landmark Cool Crest miniature golf course property on Fredericksburg Road, paving the way for the course to reopen.

Dr. James Andry, seen at Cool Crest on Aug. 25, 2012, has restored the miniature golf course, which has been closed for several years, to its former glory. The City Council recently approved the “closure,

A pencil still hangs from a scoring stand near one of the holes at the closed Cool Crest miniature golf course on Aug. 25, 2012.

A pencil still hangs from a scoring stand near one of the holes at the closed Cool Crest miniature golf course on Aug. 25, 2012.

Photo: Robin Jerstad, For The Express-News

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Various kinds of vegetation, including banana and lemon trees, started to take over the holes at the closed Cool Crest miniature golf course on Fredericksburg Road. Aug. 25, 2012.

Various kinds of vegetation, including banana and lemon trees, started to take over the holes at the closed Cool Crest miniature golf course on Fredericksburg Road. Aug. 25, 2012.

Photo: Robin Jerstad, For The Express-News

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Various kinds of vegetation, including banana and lemon trees, started to take over the holes at the closed Cool Crest miniature golf course on Fredericksburg Road. Aug. 25, 2012.

Various kinds of vegetation, including banana and lemon trees, started to take over the holes at the closed Cool Crest miniature golf course on Fredericksburg Road. Aug. 25, 2012.

Photo: Robin Jerstad, For The Express-News

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A hole at the closed Cool Crest miniature golf course sits full of debris on Aug. 25, 2012.

A hole at the closed Cool Crest miniature golf course sits full of debris on Aug. 25, 2012.

Photo: Robin Jerstad, For The Express-News

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Dr. James Andry, seen at Cool Crest on Aug. 25, 2012, has restored the miniature golf course, which has been closed for several years, to its former glory. The City Council recently approved the “closure, vacation and abandonment” of a 12-foot-wide right of way that had been impeding the sale of the landmark Cool Crest miniature golf course property on Fredericksburg Road, paving the way for the course to reopen.

Dr. James Andry, seen at Cool Crest on Aug. 25, 2012, has restored the miniature golf course, which has been closed for several years, to its former glory. The City Council recently approved the “closure,

Various kinds of vegetation, including banana and lemon trees, started to take over the holes at the closed Cool Crest miniature golf course on Fredericksburg Road. Aug. 25, 2012.

Various kinds of vegetation, including banana and lemon trees, started to take over the holes at the closed Cool Crest miniature golf course on Fredericksburg Road. Aug. 25, 2012.

Photo: Robin Jerstad, For The Express-News

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Various kinds of vegetation, including banana and lemon trees, started to take over the holes at the closed Cool Crest miniature golf course on Fredericksburg Road. Aug. 25, 2012.

Various kinds of vegetation, including banana and lemon trees, started to take over the holes at the closed Cool Crest miniature golf course on Fredericksburg Road. Aug. 25, 2012.

Photo: Robin Jerstad, For The Express-News

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The holes at the closed Cool Crest miniature golf course on Fredericksburg Road are seen in a state of disrepair on Aug 25, 2012. The City Council recently approved the “closure, vacation and abandonment” of a 12-foot-wide right of way that had been impeding the sale of the landmark Cool Crest miniature golf course property on Fredericksburg Road, paving the way for the course to reopen.

The holes at the closed Cool Crest miniature golf course on Fredericksburg Road are seen in a state of disrepair on Aug 25, 2012. The City Council recently approved the “closure, vacation and abandonment”

State Representative Mike Villarreal reacts to a missed putt at the Cool Crest Minaiture Golf Course Friday, June 14, 2002.

State Representative Mike Villarreal reacts to a missed putt at the Cool Crest Minaiture Golf Course Friday, June 14, 2002.

Photo: TOM REEL, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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A banana tree bears its fruit at the Cool Crest Miniature Golf Course.

A banana tree bears its fruit at the Cool Crest Miniature Golf Course.

Photo: Kevin Geil, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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A Pride of Barbados blooms at the Cool Crest Miniature Golf Course.

A Pride of Barbados blooms at the Cool Crest Miniature Golf Course.

Photo: Kevin Geil, EXPRESS-NEWS FILE PHOTO

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A Plumeria blooms at the Cool Crest Miniature Golf Course.

A Plumeria blooms at the Cool Crest Miniature Golf Course.

Photo: Express-News File Photo, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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Cool Crest on the road to recovery

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One of San Antonio's historic landmarks is getting a face-lift this spring.

Cool Crest miniature golf course, which closed in 2007, is gearing up for a June grand re-opening thanks to brothers James, Albert, Phillip and Mitchell Andry, who purchased the property last year.

Tuesday, Cool Crest underwent the first step in its rehabilitation when Frontier Surveying Co. came out to map a 3D image of the course's topography.

“This is 3D scanning,” said Frontier owner Ivy Rodriguez Young. “It's capturing every detail of the concrete and the different elevations of the course, and we'll be able to take measurements on the computer after it's loaded in; that's helps later with developing or improving.”

A lot of developing and improving will have to be undertaken before the projected opening date; the Andrys plan on recreating the look of the course exactly as it was in the 1950s and '60s from archival photos.

“Back in its heyday, everything was so richly planted you really couldn't see from hole to hole,” project adviser Steve Houston said. “That's what they're hoping to replicate.”

The minigolf course was a popular hangout for the Art Deco District along the Fredericksburg Road corridor, but after owner Maria Metzger couldn't maintain it any longer, it closed.

When she died in February 2010, the property fell into disrepair. But savior came in the form of a doctor — Dr. James Andry, who, with his brothers, purchased the property when it hit the market.

“It's always been a love of ours,” Dr. James Andry said. “So when it came up for sale, we desired to acquire it.”

After untangling the city's red tape surrounding an abandoned alley that cut through the property, the Andrys were able to call Cool Crest theirs, and enlisted the help of Young, who grew up in the area and went to Providence High School, to help start the rehabilitation process.

Young said she was enthusiastic to help her childhood friends restore an old San Antonio favorite hangout with some new technology.

“I'm just happy to help and be a part of a big development for San Antonio,” Young said as she stood on the sun-dappled course supervising the survey process. “Every time I mention it to anyone I know, they just light up, because they've been here and they had a good time.”